The initial excitement may be behind us, but the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is still going strong, and they always have some really good wear now-and-later pieces hidden among all the sweaters and boots.

3 Transitional Wardrobe Pieces Every Woman Needs

Transition season is probably the hardest to dress for, but there are a few key pieces you should have to make it a little less challenging, and why not get them while they’re on sale?

#1. Versatile Dress

A versatile dress like this textured cotton blend midi dress is perfect for those who need work wear, and it’s something I’ll wear to church or dinners out this fall.

I can hardly ever wear tie waist dresses, but this one fits perfectly because it has some structure through the body, and the tie is situated higher than most. If you’re short-waisted and can’t usually war tie-waist dresses, give this one a try!

Caslon Textured Midi Dress (S) // Michael Kors Cleo Slingback Sandals (8) // AllSaints Odette East/West Leather Tote // Kendra Scott necklace & earrings

This dress is by Caslon, one of the Nordstrom Made Brands, and I couldn’t believe the price when I saw it. I love shopping these brands because they offer the quality and style that Nordstrom is known for, without the markup that often comes with the big name designers.

The thick, textured knit makes this dress the perfect transitional style. It stands alone beautifully, and then you can put a blazer or leather jacket over it when the weather cools down.

I paired this dress with slingback sandals for a look I can start wearing as soon as this heat wave is over, but I’ll also wear it with booties when fall arrives.

These slingbacks are going to be my go-to heels this fall. They’re remarkably comfortable for a 4″ heel, and I love the asymmetric styling. I actually got the black and camel, and I plan to keep both.

I carried the AllSaints Odette East/West Leather Tote in the Palisade Tan to complement the black dress and shoes.

This bag is also part of the #NSale, and it’s so luxe and chic with the buttery soft pebbled leather and raw leather inside. I let the sides fold in to make it smaller and more streamlined for this classic look.

I wore a silver layer necklace and silver hoops to accessorize this simple outfit, and my sunglasses are the DIFF cat eye frames. They’re also from Nordstrom but not part of the Anniversary Sale.

#2. Base Layers

Another key transitional piece I make sure to have in my closet is a variety of base layers, like this Halogen Raw Edge Tank. It comes in several solid colors as well as some fun prints.

I have it in the ivory and black, as well as the black-ivory leopard, and I just added this pink pebbles print to my closet.

I love that this tank is bra-friendly, and the double-v neck and black chiffon trim are such pretty details, but the best part is you can start wearing it right away. In fact, I actually wore it last week to dinner with friends.

Then when cold weather rolls around, you can swap the sandals for booties and add a leather jacket or cardigan and keep wearing this outfit well into fall.

These black AG Maris are a great pair of classic slim straight leg jeans to have in your closet year-round, but they’re especially useful during transition season because they look as good with sandals as they do with boots.

They have a 29″ inseam with a 14″ leg opening and an 11″ front rise, and this black wash doesn’t fade. I always wash mine inside out in cold water and hang to dry. They fit true to size, or you can size down if in between.

Halogen Raw Edge Tank (S) // AG Mari High Rise Slim Straight Leg Jeans (28) // Michael Kors Cleo Slingback Sandals (8)

#3. Outfit Completer Pieces

An outfit completer like a leather jacket or blazer is an important transitional piece because it’s what carries our outfits from summer into fall.

I love this Treasure & Bond leather bomber with the removable sherpa collar. I wore it without the collar with this burgundy ribbed scoopneck sweater.

Halogen sweater (S) // AG jeans (28) // Marc Fisher booties (8.5) // Treasure & Bond leather bomber (S) // AllSaints tote //  Kendra Scott earrings // Kendra Scott necklace

And then with this camel cashmere v-neck with the sherpa collar attached.

Nordstrom Signature cashmere sweater (S) // AG jeans (28) // Marc Fisher booties (8.5) // Treasure & Bond leather bomber (S) // AllSaints tote //  Kendra Scott earrings // Kendra Scott necklace

The leather bomber, burgundy ribbed scoopneck sweater and camel cashmere v-neck are also from Nordstrom Made Brands. These are some of my favorite pieces from this sale and such good values for versatile fall wardrobe basics.

Another good completer piece to have for transition season is a utility jacket, and Caslon has a this classic style in the #NSale for under $50. It comes in green, navy, pink, and this pretty rust that leans towards coral.

Mine arrived in the mail just as we were leaving for our trip, so I didn’t have a chance to get professional pictures, but I took a few mirror selfies. I styled it over a classic white t-shirt, with straight leg jeans and mules.

Caslon Utility Jacket (S) // Caslon rounded v-neck tee (S) // Paige Cindy straight ankle jeans (29) // Steve Madden mules (8)

Or you can swap the mules for booties. This jacket is soft and stretchy and runs true to size; I’m wearing the small.

This Caslon rounded v-neck t-shirt is another one of my go-to base layers. It looks great under pretty much any completer piece, from a blazer to a utility jacket, and a cardigan to a leather moto.

Caslon Utility Jacket (S) // Caslon rounded v-neck tee (S) // Paige Cindy straight ankle jeans (29) // Vince booties (8)

Of course, shipping and returns are always free at Nordstrom, but if you need any of these items right away, you can always select the BOPUS (Buy Online Pick Up in Store) option at checkout to pick them up at a Nordstrom store near you.

And be sure to join the Nordy Club so you can earn points toward Nordstrom Notes when you shop. You also get exclusive perks like members-only access to sales, offers, and events — like the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

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photos: Alison Cornell